With reference to the editorial Flying into trouble ahead (Our Take, October 13), India can’t afford any further delays in the procurement of defence equipment.

With reference to the editorial Flying into trouble ahead (Our Take, October 13), India can’t afford any further delays in the procurement of defence equipment. The nation urgently needs state-of-the-art equipment for the three wings of the security forces. The defence ministry should judiciously use its annual budget and strike a balance between paying salaries and buying arms and facilities from abroad. Also, the government should ensure that our jawans are not provided with substandard equipment.

Subhash Vaid, via email

Let’s build a temple of learning

Rajdeep Sardesai’s article A half way house (Beyond the Bite, October 8) presents an excellent analysis of the Ayodhya dispute. Both Hindus and Muslims have shown maturity in welcoming the Allahabad High Court’s verdict. It’s a different matter that some politicians tried to play with the sentiments of the Muslims, but were unsuccessful. High levels of illiteracy, poverty and unemployment are hampering the growth of Muslims in India. The government should allot some land in Ayodhya for the construction of an educational institution, where children from all communities can study and become the future architects of India.

Najma Heptulla, via email

II

One the one hand, both Hindus and Muslims vehemently talk about the need to end communal violence in India but, on the other, they have been fighting over a few acres of land in Ayodhya for decades. Kudos to the media for not sensationalising the High Court verdict and urging people to maintain calm